When you visit Munich, be sure to check out the Dirndl dresses that every well-dressed Bavarian lady has in her wardrobe. I was intrigued by the number of classy shops showing evening versions of the traditional Bavarian costume in their shop windows.
You or I might choose a little designer dress for our big night out. But, the ladies of Munich clearly enjoy sporting their traditional German clothing in gorgeous silks and velvets.
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In southern Germany, the dirndl is the outfit of choice for any formal evening events, a visit to the Opera or any social event with a traditional flavour.
And of course if you are attending Oktoberfest be sure to rent or buy a Dirndl to wear as your Oktoberfest outfit, or you’ll stick out among all the locals sporting their dirndls and lederhosen.
Interesting facts about the Dirndl
The Dirndl costume consists of a skirt, apron, tight bodice and short sleeved blouse worn underneath with perhaps a shawl or scarf at the neck. You’ll notice that it’s the typical dress for waitresses and barmaids in pubs and beer gardens in Southern Germany.
You might be interested to know that the placement of the knot of the apron denotes your marital status. On the left means you’re single and available, on the right means you’re married, engaged or taken, and at the back means you’re a widow.
At Oktoberfest, the famous beer and folk festival held in Munich it’s quite normal for tourists as well as locals to wear a dirndl, as there are plenty of places that hire them. And don’t think it’s just a fashion for older women – the teenagers really get into it as well and the fashions change every year.
Where to buy or rent a dirndl in Munich
If you’re in Munich for the Oktoberfest and want to buy a new or second-hand dirndl, it will probably cost upwards of €100. And at the top end you could splurge hundreds or thousands of euros for a designer brand or bespoke Dirndl.
Here are some places to buy or rent your dirndl in Munich.
- Lola Paltinger/Lollipop and Alpenrock – high fashion by former Vivienne Westwood designer (where Paris & Salma like to shop)
- Trachten Peterandl – Custom made, high end dirndls
- Loden-Fry – Top Munich Department Store with a dirndl department
- Bavarian Outfitters – a wide selection of dirndls and lederhosen to rent
Read next
Read about the delicious food in Munich – where and what to eat
Other Munich articles to enjoy
Visiting the Munich Christmas Markets – Podcast
Drinking Feuerzangenbowle to warm the spirits in Munich
Where to stay in Munich
Find the best deals for hotels in Munich or check our recommendations below – we’ve personally stayed at both hotels!
Stay at the boutique Cortiina Hotel in Munich
Stay at the luxurious boutique Louis Hotel in Munich
The guidebook I used on this trip was the pocket sized DK Eyewitness Top 10 guide to Munich, which I found ideal for sightseeing if you are there for a short time.
Need a guidebook for Munich? We recommend the DK Eyewitness Top 10 Munich guide
Official Munich Tourism Website
This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com
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Monika Zechetmayr
Tuesday 30th of July 2013
Dirndl in Bavaria are also worn to weddings and those will cost you a few E 1000s as they are most elaborate and decorated. These are found foremost in the more traditional Alpine, Oberbayens, areas, villages.
Heather Cowper
Tuesday 30th of July 2013
@Monika I think they are beautiful and great that traditional dress still has a place in modern life
Dirndl – oder doch nicht? | Meine Mode - "Fesche" Fashion
Sunday 22nd of April 2012
[...] für Männlein als auch für Weiblein Pflicht. Ich trage nun schon seit Jahren mein blau-weißes Dirndl und ich glaube, es hat so langsam ausgedient. Ich überlege dieses Jahr dieses Jahr die Tradition [...]
There's much more to Munich than the beer! | Heather on her travels
Tuesday 27th of December 2011
[...] The latest dirndl fashions in Munich Visiting the Munich Christmas Markets – podcast Empty splendour in the Residenz palace in Munich [...]
Heather Cowper
Saturday 18th of December 2010
@ London photographer. As you say the dirndl was once what you wore every day but now it's a fashion form. I think the ones I saw were for party wear but I didn't see too many tourists wearing them. I think tourists would buy them for the Oktoberfest though
London Photographer
Saturday 18th of December 2010
Nice Dirndl! The original ones a much more plain. The ones shown are for tourists...